Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1887-11-15

Til his last old soldier dies. .4;.iz rysI
Ask me, If so yoa please. to paint sssE 9sg
Stormwinds upon the seas
Tell me TO weigh great Cheops-fgu 9fT
Set volcanic forces frees .:,,,a
But bid me not, my countrymen, 'H>>-
To picture Robert Leei - .-
As Saul, bound for Damascus, fair. - ~ ~,
Was struck blind by sudden light,
So my eyes are pained and dazzled = ,,ty'
BY radienee pure and white
Shot back by the FURNISHED armor i- =
OF that giory-beltsd knight. "
His was all the Norman's pOifsbr .,...,..,,
And sObriety Of grace;
an the Goth's majestic figure; ''i "a
All the Romans noble face; a
And he stood the tall examplar
OF grand historic race. 4 rad 3ts,ii
Baronial were his acres where
Potomae's waters RIMS,
High his lineage, aud his biazot s"t'
Was by cunning heralds doneSl lEt atf
But better still he might have said ';,i=y ;,
OF his T" works he was the :. son."
Truth walked beside him always -ToJ
From his childhood's early years, ufs-
Honor followed as his shadow.
Valor Hghtencd all his cares;
And he rode-that grand Yirginian- -
Last of all the Cayaiiersi
As a soldier We all knew him
Great in action and repose, -'
Saw how his genius kindied 'af''
And his mighty spirit rose f,.rav4
When ths four quarters of the globe
Encompassed him with foes. r.5F
But he and his grew Drawer ta 1|'-
As the danger grew more rife, ...--.I.
AYaricious they Of glory
But most prodfgal Of life,
And the "Army of yirgiAi6'1
Was tho atlas of the strife.
AS his troubles gathered round him
Thick as waves that beat the shore,
ATRA CURA rode behind him ,
Famine's shadow filed his door; ,y
still he wrought deeds no mortal man
Had ever wrought before.
".
Then came the end, my Ceuntrymen,
The last thunderbolts were hurledt
Worn out by his own victories -
His battle flags were furled,
And history was finished
That has changed the modern world.
OF bloody Roman game
AS the prize OF his endeavor
Put on an immortal frame, -g
Through long agonies our Soldier
Won the crown of martial fame.
But there came greater glory
To that man supremely great
CWhen his just sword he laid aside
In peace to serve his State,)
For in his classic solitude
He rose up and mastered Fate.
He Hiumphed and he did not diet -------- -
No funeral bells are tollcd-
But on that day in Lexington
Fame came herself to hold
His stirrup while he mounted
To ride down the streets of gold.
He is not dead There is no deathi
He only went before,
His journey on when CHRIST THE LoRp
Wide open held the door.
Aud a calm. celestial peace is his;
Thank God forcvermore.
...a.-. .... V.
When the ef1gy Of Washington
In its bronze was reared on high
Twas mine, with others, now long gonci
Beneath n stormy sky,
To utter to the multitude
His name that cannot die.
And here to-day, my Countrymen,
tell you Lee shall ride
With that great ''rebel" down the years
Twin rebels" side by sidel
And confronting such n vision rs-
All our grief gives place TO pride.
These two shall ride irntSortal
And shall ride abreast of Time, p
Shall light up stately history --.:l
And blaze in Epic Rhyme
Both patriots, both virginians true.
Both " Rebels, i" both sublime. sET.
Our past is I'm of glory, a
It is shut-in sea, 81 es s-
The Pillars overlooking it
Are Washington and Lee
And future spreads before Us,
Not unworthy of fhe free
And here and now, my Countrymen,
Upon this sacred sod, .
Let us feel It was " Our Father"
Who nboYs us held the rod,
And from hills TO sea,
Like Robert Lee,
Bow reverently to God